The Greening of Norwegian Fisheries Legislation

Abstract

The objective of both international and national fisheries management legislation has traditionally been to optimize utilization of individual fish stocks. Recently the environmental effects of fishing, including overfishing, by-catches, and destruction of habitat, have come into focus. International instruments (binding and non-binding) have been adopted to accommodate these concerns through introducing environmental principles (e.g. the precautionary approach and ecosystem approach) to supplement international fisheries law and international environmental law. In 2009 new legislation came into force in Norway to introduce these obligations. The legislation is investigated to assess how environmental considerations are implemented and weighted against other considerations, such as settlement and employment, traditionally important interests in fisheries management. The new legislation means fisheries management must apply objectives and principles across sectors to include utilization of all natural resources. The conclusion is that although the fisheries management agencies still enjoy wide discretion, the implementation of these principles and their integration with other sectors will require a more holistic approach to fisheries management in the future.